A prototype brain implant that uses light to change the behavior of neurons in the brain is currently being developed by the researchers at Medtronic.
They based the device to the emerging science of opto-genetic neuro-modulation where brain cells are genetically engineered to respond to light.
According to Medtronic, the aim of developing such brain implant is to understand more how electrical therapies are used to treat Parkinson's and other disorders. They said that they will use their findings to improve their electrical stimulators. But they also hope to use optical therapy directly as treatments.
While academic scientist are on the process of developing new apparatus to bring light to the brain, Medtronic is working on optogenetically based brain implant for commercial use. Their module which has the size and shape of a small USB flash drive has a power management unit, a wireless data links, a microcontroller, and an optical stimulator. And it uses fiber-optic wire to target light from a green or blue LED at target neurons in the brain.
Medtronic plans to use the device for in-house research on the effects of DBS and advertise it to neuroscience researchers.
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